Bulgaria has enacted a controversial law prohibiting LGBTQ+ related ‘propaganda’ in schools, attracting criticism from rights organisations and mirroring similar legislation in Russia and Hungary.
Bulgaria has officially enacted a contentious law banning “propaganda” about LGBTQ+ individuals within its educational institutions. The legislation, which was passed by Parliament on 8 August, received formal approval from President Rumen Radev and was subsequently published in the State Gazette.
The new statute introduces amendments to Bulgaria’s Preschool and School Education Act, integrating specific language that prohibits the dissemination of “propaganda” concerning “non-traditional sexual orientation.” The law identifies non-traditional sexual orientation as any form of attraction that deviates from the conventional norms entrenched in Bulgarian legal traditions—specifically, emotional, romantic, sexual, or sensual attractions between individuals of the opposite sex.
The enactment of this law has attracted significant criticism from various LGBTQ+ rights organizations. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) has been particularly vocal, condemning the legislation. ILGA remarked that despite proponents of the law, such as the Revival Party, asserting it aims to protect young people, in reality, it represents an infringement on the rights of children, especially those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
This Bulgarian law mirrors previous legislation enacted in Russia and Hungary, which imposed similar restrictions on the expression surrounding sexual orientation. Russia’s law, introduced in 2013, and Hungary’s in 2021, have both faced international reproach, with Human Rights Watch describing Russia’s legislative move as a blatant instance of political homophobia.
Bulgaria remains one of 16 Council of Europe member states that do not recognise same-sex unions. This position was challenged in 2023 when the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the absence of recognition infringes on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which safeguards individuals’ private and family life. Bulgaria’s treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals, as assessed by ILGA, places it at 40th out of 49 European countries.
As the new law takes effect, it casts a spotlight on the ongoing debate about LGBTQ+ rights within Bulgaria and the broader European context, with implications for educational policy and human rights standards across the region.
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